#i can’t even play tears of themis without burning my hand

[r26yz]

happy lucky

[whitherliliesbloom]

a house of cards

[ ffxivwrite2021 ] ★ [ masterlist ] ★ [ prompt #11 - preaching to the choir ]

[ alphinaud/wol ] ★ [ 1,468 words ]  ★ [ tears of themis au ] 

to speak for or against something to people who already agree with one's opinions

it takes unwavering conviction, something alphinaud never once doubted stellis’ best junior attorney to possess in strides

Bouts of outspokenness and raw charisma came only occasionally for Illya. It was most common in the courtroom, where her natural reservations and usual shyness is thrown aside in favor of a demeanor more confident as she fights for rightful judgement with her words.

Once in a while however, that forwardness would resurface outside the tribunal whenever she felt an urgency behind the cause she had deemed most imperative to root for. 

It was never for her own sake that she’d channel her energy into, nor has she ever fought in defense for someone she didn’t genuinely believe to be deserving of it... But that only made her assertiveness all the more admirable.

And by the gods, what a sight it was to truly see.

“You have to let me investigate this case, Dr. Leveilleur!” Normally soft and gentle voice that has always reminded him of the melodic chirping of songbirds now raised and lowered in octave to convey her seriousness, he forces a frown onto his face as he stares down at the young woman who with equal solemnness furrows her brows even further. “I insist.”

Illya was never a woman who insisted on things - especially not towards someone who wasn’t her direction opposition in a court case. And it was perhaps the first time he’s ever seen her raise her voice in response to his own words.

There is zero chances of their conversation being overheard regardless of how loudly she spoke - soundproof as his office and workspace is for the purpose of protecting the privacy of his patients. And Illya knows this full well - is utilizing the perfect opportunity to showcase her will. 

The woman was determined - and little wonder.

“You would pour your energy into a cold case?” Alphinaud questions, feigning a doubtful tone in his voice. “But what would be the point of that?”

“It just doesn’t add up! Surely you must feel there’s something amiss with the case too, don’t you? Why else would the case mysteriously be transferred into the open case files in the NXX database?” 

There is certainly full merit to her words, but Alphinaud doesn’t speak - merely silent as he watches the youngest member of their secret investigative group brace her hands against the wooden desk. The chamomile tea he’d poured for her still sat neglected in its cup, slowly growing colder.

“The plaintiff of the first lawsuit clearly had an agenda against Garlond Ironworks... What’s more, the circumstances behind Miss Jessie’s death are incredibly suspicious. It’s just... It’s just way too convenient for it to be a mere accident!” 

The psychiatrist hums, narrowing his eyes before folding his arms across his chest. 

“Be that as it may... It’s still been over two years since the ruling. Any evidence we might have found back then would either have been lost, destroyed or confiscated. It would be difficult to find enough evidence to call for another lawsuit... let alone turn the first ruling around.”

Alphinaud leans forward, his expression grave and serious to match her own. 

“Not to mention... the first lawsuit ended with the death of one of the defendants. If her passing truly is a result of foul play instead of an accident, like you proposed... You must know full well how dangerous investigating this case would be.” 

The woman doesn’t respond, not immediately anyway, as she bows her head down and takes a sharp inhale through her nose in order to recollect her thoughts. 

But against the protective instincts of her head, and against the nervous pounding of her heart in the face of a man who was questioning her, Illya finally turns to look up, violet eyes burning with resolve that Alphinaud knows will not soon be extinguished. 

“I know. I knew, ever since I joined NXX... no, ever since I decided to become an a lawyer. I know of the risks, and I know that it won’t be easy. I may lose my reputation, my job... or even worse. But I can’t any of that get in the way of my fight. The world deserves the truth, and the victims deserve justice.”

He can hear her nails scratching against the wooden surface of his desk as she pulls her fingers inwards and balls her hands into tight fists... and he can tell that he’s another objection away from forcing her voice into a yell.

“I’m ready to do whatever it takes, Dr Leveilleur! Please, you have to believe me!”

The smile that the young psychiatrist had been forcing himself to hold back is plastered upon his face now, lips upturned into a youthful, pleased grin as he moves to grab his prized set of poker cards from the pocket of his lab coat.

“Do you remember when we first met, Illya?” he asks, sitting himself down on his black office chair with Illya’s gaze turning down to follow him. 

At the man’s sudden, unrelated question, her shoulders finally visibly relax... the furled knots in her brows unwinding and bright star-spangled eyes widening in confusion.

“E-eh? Um... Well... yes, why?” Her voice softens to it’s usual volume and pitch, and Alphinaud’s chest wells up with something akin to adoration... but he speaks of none of it towards her.

“Do you remember what happened?” Alphinaud asks, opening the box to pull out the deck as he nonchalantly begins shuffling the cards. 

Illya’s eyes dart down to his hands, and without a single second’s hesitation, she nods. 

“You were in your office... stacking cards. And then you asked me to pull one out without topping the rest over.”

As if to replay, or at least relive that memory, Alphinaud begins pulling apart the deck to stack the cards up into yet another tower, slender fingers careful and precise as he props two cards up against one another before pulling away. He lets a chuckle when he notes Illya puffing her chest out as if to hold her breath as she watches him.

“I did. And when the tower collapsed, I asked you if you would try again if you had the opportunity to.”

He lays a card flat against the four upright cards, before moving on to stack yet another two cards on top of it.

“In truth... I asked you that question as a form of test, Illya.”

“A test?” Her voice raises a tad out of bewilderment... but he is mildly surprised to note that she isn’t more... shocked by his confession.

“As a psychiatrist and the one in charge of investigating mental health cases, it naturally fell to me to ensure that each potential candidate had the suitable qualities to become a member of the NXX.” 

Leaning back against his chair, Alphinaud’s once warm smile now falters into a more somber, apologetic frown as he gazes at the woman standing on the other side of the desk.

“I’m also responsible for making sure that each member is suitably mentally prepared to take on whatever cases they have been put in charge of... which means-”

“You... were just testing me?”

At Illya’s query, Alphinaud’s heart leaps into his throat, and his usual concrete collectiveness slips - voice stuttering and hands raising into the air in a panic.

“I-... For what it’s worth, I never doubted you! Not even for a second.” He quickly reassures, before shaking his head. “Neither did G’raha or Aymeric, for that matter. Estinien has his reservations, as usual.. but! But rest assured, with my testimony, I’ll be able to convince him to-”

“I understand, Dr. Leveilleur.” The sight of her upturned lips, the twinkling of her dazzling eyes and the adorable, almost sheepish reddening of her cheeks, Alphinaud feels his heart skip a beat and a lump catching in his throat. “it’s alright, I don’t blame you. I just...”

The young woman leans back, tucking her arms behind her back as she turns her head away to hide the rapidly darkening blush upon her face beneath the shadows of her bangs.

“I just feel a little embarrassed now.... I was being so forceful and loud and I...”

Heavens, she’s cute. Cute and assertive when she needs to be. If he does not make his move soon, the others would surely- 

“There’s no need to be embarrassed. Not with me, Illya.” Alphinaud rises from his seat, sauntering around his desk and moving towards the young attorney before kneeling down before her with a smile. 

“In fact... if you could find it in your heart to forgive me for my deception... I would like to offer my assistance to you during your investigation.”

The forgotten tower of cards upon his desk stands tall and proud, as does Illya as she looks up at the man with a wide smile and a nod.

“Then, you are forgiven, Dr. Leveilleur.”